China News Network Jilin, August 8 Topic: Jilin Shulan Village's "Battle to Defend the Reservoir"
China News Network reporter Cang Yan Shi Hongyu
The model village of Kaiyuan Town, Shulan City, Jilin Province, which experienced the impact of the flood, finally ushered in tranquility, and the smoke rose again. After touring the river, 47-year-old Zhao Suchun also went to villagers' homes to inquire about losses and production.
Villagers light fires in their homes for cooking. Photo by reporter Cang Yan
The calm at this time is in stark contrast to the "rough seas" of previous days. Since the 1st, Shulan City has been hit by heavy rainfall, flooding many villages and towns, damaging roads, and disrupting communications, affecting more than <>,<> people.
The "Village West Reservoir" located in Model Village is more than 500 meters from the village. "Our reservoir covers an area of 10 hectares and is mainly used for irrigation when farming, which is usually a very relaxing place." Zhao Suchun, secretary of the party branch of Model Village, recalled that heavy rain began to fall at 3 o'clock on the 16rd.
"Outside, shoulders and heads hurt from the rain." Zhao Suchun said that the rainfall at that time was enough to call it "pouring rain".
Zhao Suchun had never seen such rain. The news from the WeChat group alerted him: village officials in nearby villages said the water was pressing down like a wall. Zhao Suchun immediately summoned a team, a 36-member flood control team composed of village cadres and villagers, carrying shovels and pumps, and immediately took a car to the reservoir.
Zhao Suchun inspects the spill on the side of the reservoir. Photo by reporter Cang Yan
At this time, the road conditions are already very complicated: the water does not reach the calves, and it is impossible to see the road conditions in front of you in the car. "We stood on the dam and watched the water level rise." The flood has been "devouring" the reservoir's water level, and Zhao Suchun opened the reservoir's floodgates to the maximum, but the flood discharge was not effective - the water flowed into the reservoir too quickly. He judged that the reservoir would overflow or burst, endangering the entire village.
For the safety of the team, Zhao Suchun placed the team members on both sides of the embankment and checked the water penetration alone. When he reached the middle section, a landslide occurred on the outside of the dam, instantly enveloping him in the dirt.
The location of the landslide in the reservoir. Photo by reporter Cang Yan
"I'm one step away from death." It was already 22 o'clock at night, and no one found Zhao Suchun in trouble. Fortunately, there was not much mud on the landslide, and he crawled out of the mud with abrasions. Fumbled through waist-high floods to the dam side.
The flood control team decided to dig the spill – let the water flow in a fixed direction – so that the damage could be reduced. The accompanying excavator went into immediate operation and smashed the spillway in 20 minutes. After that, the reservoir began to discharge floodwaters in large quantities, and the water potential decreased significantly.
While 36 team members were busy on the dam, another evacuation team evacuated all the villagers in the low-lying area.
Model Village Village West Reservoir. Photo by reporter Cang Yan
At 2 a.m. the next morning, the battle for the reservoir ended. At this time, the weather is fine and the water level has dropped significantly. Zhao Suchun and 36 other people guarded the safety line of the village - there were no casualties in the model village, and no houses collapsed.
At present, the disaster-stricken areas are gradually restoring production and life, all power supplies have been restored, and all unaccessible roads have been rushed through. Zhao Suchun, who helped the hard-hit village next door to dredge, was covered in dirt, but it was much easier. (End)